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Selenium is a vital nutrient for men’s health. It acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress from highly reactive free radicals, helps sustain regular levels of thyroid hormones and keeps you from getting sick by powering your immune system. In addition, selenium protects your prostate, can help reduce episodes of erectile dysfunction and even protects your heart.

Prostate Health

Selenium can reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer, especially if your selenium levels are low. Regularly consuming selenized yeast -- a special kind of brewer’s yeast that provides 200 micrograms of selenium -- cuts your chances of having prostate cancer by as much as two-thirds, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. You can further reduce your risk by taking a multivitamin with other antioxidants like vitamins C and E, as well as zinc and beta-carotene.

Benefits for Erectile Dysfunction

A lot of the time, erectile dysfunction occurs when you have oxidative stress in your body. Diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol levels and hypertension all contribute to excessive oxidative stress. Since selenium, as well as other antioxidants, minimizes damage from oxidative stress on cells, tissues in your penis relax and blood flow to your groin improves. If you continue to have problems getting an erection, it may be a side effect of a more serious health condition, and you should consult your physician.

Heart Protection

Taking a selenium supplement probably won’t eliminate problems if you already have a specific heart diagnosis, but it could help as a preventative measure. Selenium limits low-density lipoprotein oxidation. This bad cholesterol, also known as LDL cholesterol, builds up on arterial walls, making them stiff and hard. When you meet your daily selenium intake, the mineral combats some of the LDL in your blood, reducing your risk of coronary artery disease and overall risk of heart disease. If you’re taking a cholesterol-lowering medication, though, don’t take a selenium supplement on top of it. Selenium can interact with some of these types of drugs, making them ineffective, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Recommendation and Sources

The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, of selenium for men is 55 micrograms per day. Canned light tuna in water is a quick way to get all of your selenium in one food -- just 3 ounces provide 68 micrograms. The same serving size of roasted cod contains 32 micrograms of selenium. Light turkey meat, chicken breast and beef chuck each offer between 23 and 27 micrograms per 3-ounce cooked serving. An ounce of sunflower seeds gives you 23 micrograms, while a slice of whole-wheat bread offers 11 micrograms. You can also get plenty of selenium from low-fat dairy foods, many types of whole grains and enriched noodles or cereals.

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About the Author

Melodie Anne Coffman specializes in overall wellness, with particular interests in women's health and personal defense. She holds a master's degree in food science and human nutrition and is a certified instructor through the NRA. Coffman is pursuing her personal trainer certification in 2015.